With winter in full swing, the cold weather might tempt us to remain in the sanctuary of our warm houses. For me, winter in New York City means picking my way through slushy streets, avoiding catching a cold at school, and bundling up in scarves, down jackets, and bulky mittens. It’s no surprise that at times I envy Fuzzy-Wuzzy, who hibernates until spring! Nevertheless, I’ve learned that wintertime has its own joys. The snow doesn’t have to keep us inside. I’ve enjoyed many, fun-filled activities when I’ve braved the cold with my family.
Get inspired
Winter transforms our city into a pure white land of glistening icicles and snow-capped buildings. As an avid artist, I’ve been truly inspired by the way winter transforms the landscapes and scenes of the city. I find myself looking outside my window and being awe-struck by the breathtaking view of newly fallen snow, gently illuminated by morning light. This wondrous image soon translates into a poem. Sometimes, I rush outside in the bitter cold and whip out my digital camera to capture stills of my neighborhood.
One winter, a huge snowstorm hit New York City. Two feet of snow piled up in front of our house, locking us inside. My family and I were watching the snow come down, and we were inspired to create our own winter wonderland indoors. Together, we cut out at least a hundred, unique snowflakes out of recycled paper and hung them up all around our dining room.
Let the snow and wintery weather inspire you to release your inner creativity. Draw a picture, write a story, or create a song. Gather the family together and share your winter-themed creations.
Challenge yourself
With a world filled with progressive technology, it’s not too hard to occupy ourselves during a snowstorm. Yet, one of our family traditions is to dig out old-fashioned jigsaw puzzles. We sit around our coffee table cooperating to finish a 1,000-piece puzzle!
My dad’s technique consists of dividing the pieces by shape, while my mom generally separates everything by color. I just use the common and very-effective method of plug and chug, otherwise known as “just guess!” We chat about life in general, tell jokes, and tease each other. Sometimes, I even serenade my parents with a song or two, mostly about nonsense, but it cheers us all up. It’s an invigorating challenge that brings us together and also helps to pass time as the wind howls violently outside. Of course, puzzles can be extremely addictive (and frustrating, too).
Find your old puzzles and redo them during a frosty day. Perhaps challenge your family with a crossword puzzle or some brainteasers. It’s bound to keep your mind churning and be enjoyable for everyone.
See the sights
Almost every year, for as long as I can remember, my mom and I would take the subway into Manhattan to experience the holiday magic. We’d visit the magnificent tree at Rockefeller Center and stand under its gigantic boughs, smelling the distinct scent of the evergreen. Although I was never a huge fan of this towering tree, I loved to watch the ice skaters in the plaza below. I was even able to convince my mom to let me join them gliding by the golden, radiant beauty of the Prometheus statue.
However, the best part of our excursion was seeing the Christmas windows. Each year, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel’s (which this year has a spectacular Lady Liberty decked in jelly-bean garb), and other department stores fill their windows with holiday and winter-inspired decor.
Saks Fifth Avenue windows are definitely the most memorable for me. Every year, they tell a different, adorable children’s story. To this day, I find myself reliving my childhood as I watch the characters play out scenes from the stories. Afterwards, we’d treat ourselves to the warm, tantalizing taste of steamy pretzels, roasted nuts, and hot chocolate. Snacks in hand, we’d proceed through the city, drooling over the jewelry in the Tiffany’s windows, marveling at the Gothic designs of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and greeting the Santas that line the street.
The city is always decked out for any approaching holidays. Experiencing the atmosphere is definitely enough to make an incredible memory.
Winter doesn’t have to be a tiring season, waiting out the snow and longing for the warmth of spring. With innovation and fun, you can enjoy tried-and-true experiences or make new traditions that are the key to having a fulfilling winter.
Aglaia Ho is a 16-year-old student from Queens who enjoys writing. Her work has been published in Creative Kids, Skipping Stones, Daily News/Children’s Pressline, and The State of the Wild.
